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How-To Geek

This week we’d like to you imagine, if you will, that you must distill down your computer knowledge into three rules to pass on to a new computer user. What do you tell them? How do you save them from making the mistakes you made?

Your friend just bought a new computer and it’s up to you to give them three golden rules to live by to help their computer and data enjoy a long and healthy life. What do you tell them? What is each of your rules and why is it important?

Sound off in the comments with your three-prong approach to happy computing, then check back on Friday for the What You Said roundup.

Jason Fitzpatrick is warranty-voiding DIYer and all around geek. When he's not documenting mods and hacks he's doing his best to make sure a generation of college students graduate knowing they should put their pants on one leg at a time and go on to greatness, just like Bruce Dickinson. You can follow him on Google+ if you'd like.

1. DONT USE INTERNET EXPLORER
2. If the virus scanner isn’t the one you installed, it’s actually a virus itself
3. You can’t win a contest you didn’t enter, and you don’t have any rich Nigerian relatives

~4. Don’t put on Facebook what you aren’t willing to show everyone who has a Facebook

1. Read the screen and interpret the information.
2. Google the message if you don’t understand it–someone’s certainly come across it already.
3. Backup anything you can’t get back (i.e., your own data).

A close fourth is “don’t put anything anywhere in text that you wouldn’t have a problem telling your mother, a newspaper reporter or a judge”.

1. Most computer issues are caused by user error (be wise when using your computer)
2. Backup important files to multiple locations (Dropbox with SecretSync works well!)
3. Learn to use Google before you ask for help.

1. The initial account the computer has you set up is the root admin account name it as such and create a standard user account for yourself to use day in and day out.
2. Install crashplan and start backing up to an external drive and the cloud.
3. Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want to see on a sign hung above your desk / office.

1. Don’t use your preinstalled Virus solution. It is crap by default.
2. If you ever come across anything saying ANYTHING about the system32 folders, DON’T. TOUCH. ANYTHING.
3. Something that looks cool isn’t going to work as good as it looks. No exceptions.

1. Before you begin: Don’t be afraid you’re going to break something. Little kids can learn computers in no time precisely because they’re not afraid to try. There’s no reason adults can’t do the same.

2. Internet safety: If it pops up, don’t click on it. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Before you believe anything you read, look it up. Search engines are your friends, stuff you just happen to read on the internet should be treated as lies until you have verified it with more than one reputable source.

3. Don’t try to muddle through on your own: If you don’t understand something computer related, you could call someone who knows more to help you figure it out. But in the long run, the very best thing you can do is get your own education, and you can do that for free. Go to the public library and look at books. Ask the librarians for recommendations. Keep looking till you find a book that explains things in the way you understand best, buy that book and READ it. Then you have it for reference forever after.

1. Back up (3 copies, 2 kinds of media, at least 1 offsite)
2. Don’t click on attachments you were not specifically expecting or install applications from shady sites(No, you do not need to install their codec to play that video. If VLC won’t play it, you don’t need to see it.)
3. If on Mac or Windows, get a reliable antivirus. Not the one that came with the system, and will expire or overcharge you.

If all else fails, the nerdy kid down the street is best bribed with baked goods.

Don’t be afraid to turn the computer on. Don’t be afraid to click on anything. And don’t be afraid to experiment. We can go into backups and saving data later (that too is important). But for a new user, I just want them to be comfortable using the darn thing. Therefore, this is #1.

2.) Never, never, never give out personal information no matter how insignificant it may seem in any way shape or form. That is, unless you already know who you are dealing with. And even then you may want to reconsider. This especially true with social security numbers and any bank info like credit cards – don’t ever do it even in real life if you don’t have to.

If this is a new user who likes to shop Ebay then additional assistance with setting up accounts on PayPal and how to use it may be necessary. And sure, there are exceptions. And sure, everyone says who they are especially on Facebook and Twitter. And if that’s want a new user wants to focus on then additional advice may be in order. But for a new user I say in general to just not tell anyone who they are at least until they start to get their feet wet. (I’m a “ounce of prevention” type person if it isn’t obvious.)

3.) Never trust your email! Don’t open attachments if you don’t know >>>exactly<<< where it's from. You may even want to call that person just to be sure.

For me, this advice is sort of a toss up between general computer hygiene like updates and advising a new user to just not get into bad habits in the first place – like opening email attachments. And since the vast majority of preventable viruses come from email (or so has been my experience) I say this would be #3. Seems a little contradictory from #1, but email is about the only thing I say a person really needs to pay attention to when using.

(3b or #4 would be to keep your computer updated with OS and AV/AM updates – regularly! But that's almost automatic and HTG only asked for my top 3.)

For more advanced users This list might change. For example, I might be stressing the importance of backing up files and keeping the operating system up to date. I might even get into the need for surge suppression or even how to thwart viruses/malware by running a sandboxed virtual OS. But for a beginner, this stuff is either a little too esoteric or way out of bounds. They just need to know they can do something productive with a computer and hopefully gain a little confidence. That's MY objective.

1. Use Linux – it does everything, it’s safer, most versions get automatic security updates
2. Backup all your personal files to external storage
3. Use a different, long password for every different service

1. Shut the computer off with the Windows power button not the case button.
2. Disregard anything on a browser screen that says “FREE”
3. If you get a screen that screams “YOU ARE INFECTED” call me first.

I have not made many mistakes, as I was and still am very careful with what I do. Top three rules to avoid others doing what mny other friends have done:

1) If you don’t know what it is, don’t touch it, and don’t do anythinhg stupid. (Do not delete the Windows folder, boot folder, etc.)
2) If you see notice something suspicious, take immediate action. If you notice any changes that you don’t remember making, run a virus scan.
3) Be careful of everything that you do. Don’t download anything if you don’t know what it does. If it’s not from a major name, run a virus scan on it berfore running it.

I also advise everyone that I’ve ever helped with computer trouble to back up; mportant files regularly.

I myself always treat every computer that I don’t use rergularly myself (i.e. friend’s computers) as if they’re infected. Ultimately, I use a USB drive and Dropbox interchangeably to load portable apps. Until I can prove that there is no infected programs, I do not use any of vthe progams installed.

1. Encrypt your personal data, if you don’t use full disk encryption, then back that data up to separate drive, preferably at a remote location.

2. Make sure you have an operating system reinstall disk/set, and if you don’t have this, create one. It is a headache to try to get a (legitimate) replacement copy of Windows.

3. Require a password for login, even on the standard account. Have someone help you to place restrictions on this account so that nothing can use the cached credentials of the logged in user to take malicious actions inside your machine, and use an even stronger password on the built-in Administrator account. You can always right-click and use the ‘run as’ in the context menu if you need to install something. Might be annoying but just think how frustrating it’d be to someone trying to hijack your system.

1. no, you can’t have administrator rights,…because you’re not an administrator.
2. If you need more paper in the plotter then let me load it, because last time you jammed the printer heads & it cost us $253.78 to fix it.
3. If you need me I’ll be downstairs at the coffee shop

sully is right. first create a restore point. then, tinker , have fun. if it breaks, restore: start over. break it again. restore. don’t trust google. use it, don’t create accounts. find a good free browser like yippy or duck duck go. if you use you tube, do not create an account; just use it. leave as little information on the web as you possibly can.

in summary:
1: back up
2:use secure browsers that don’t mine personal data
3;leave the smallest personal footprint on the internet that you can ( you don’t have to subscribe to use
some really good services).

1. Learn how to create partitions and keep your docs, pics, music and important stuff etc on them.
2. Learn what is OK to install and what isnt – not all programs are nice!
3. Install a decent antivirus and a couple of anti-malware programs and learn how to use them. Stick with the well known brands, there are many good free ones.

This is kind of lame, if we could boil computer knowledge down to 3 things there wouldn’t be IT departments etc… but whatever, I’m game.

1. Backup all important stuff, hard drives fail and malware destroys.
2. Ask search engine if you’re unsure (unlike most responders I DON’T USE GOOGLE)
3. Try to learn how to run as a Limited or Standard User. It will help mitigate nearly ~90% of all malware and you’ll learn alot in the process… SRP/Applocker should be implemented afterwards if you have a proper edition…. 99.999% impervious to malware.

Number 3 is the best tip IMO. Patched systems with antivirus is not good enough. REDUCE YOUR RIGHTS!

1. install linux – ubuntu or linux mint and learn how to use it (takes less than a day).
2. forget about viruses and other stupid things.
3. freely use the computer with efficient speed and least or no bugs.

I’m an It Trainer and provide desktop support to boot (pun?). People forget the screen is where the computer communicates with the user, they ASSUME or FORGET the need to save thier work, they feel stupid asking questions.

I have taught myself how to use computers by no means an expert but I had a burning interest in them and how they worked, and I am new to them as well, sometimes I will spend days or years on one problem (not all the time, but the solution to a problem is always in my mind) I have made so many false assumptions that it seems funny to me now, hope this helps some one.

New computer users, not just new to the internet:
1. Blow the dust out of your computer pretty often.
2. Don’t click on links in email even if you DO know the sender well.
3. Never post comments online in your real name.

but when you mess it up worse, you are going to come to me to fix it for free only after paying a “professional” to tell you that it’s going to cost you hundreds of dollars. a little appreciation is all I ask… i would have been happy with half the money you paid to have it “diagnosed” even though I still gladly fixed it for free.

1. If it seems ‘broken’, reboot first before calling. Then google the problem if it persists.
2. If you dont know what ‘reboot’ is, google it.
3. Use the Start-Shutdown to turn off your computer, do not use the power strip or power button!!

1. Search Google first when you have a question
2. When you get some email saying this is true or that is true, check it out on snopes.com (The Urban Legends Reference Pages) first before you decide to forward it on as the Gospel truth.
3. Back up, your entire system to an external hard drive that you can disconnect from your system and only connect it when you need to backup again and for gods sake, please run your virus scanner before you back up.

First of all, I must state that I don’t help people unless they agree to working in a virtual machine (I use VMware). I prefer Linux, but I know a lot of Window’s lovers. Essentially, for my window’s lovers, if they don’t have an old and a new copy, I set up a Linux distro (favorite is Ubuntu) and then set up their Windows in VMware. If they have an old and a new, I install the old, update, and then put their new Windows distro in VMware. Basically, no internet access until they access their virtual PC. Period. Most other programs that don’t require internet access I will install outside the virtual machine.

Then, I set up their permissions, give myself the admin account, update, install the programs I prefer (Comodo, Malwarebytes, CCleaner for Windows users – all user-friendly for newbies and work pretty well), and polish off their education with a quick tour on how not to screw it up.

I like to give the following advice to all people…

Nothing is impossible to fix. Everything is impossible to recover (I like to put a little scare in my newbies to get them to do regular back-ups of important info). Back-up, back-up, back-up.

Use your antivirus every time you get off the internet.

Go buy your porn like a good deviant. Stay off the porn sites, free or paid!

If you don’t know what it is, DON’T CLICK IT! If you do click it, immediately start your antivirus. (they always click it…)

Social sites are evil. But since we all still go to social sites, I force them to use CCleaner and remove passwords as well as running the antivirus.

Nothing is worse than IE. Pick anything else! (I automatically install both Chrome and Firefox for newbies, let them try both, and then make their favorite the default browser.)

Use the add-ons for your browsers. I like to add in some security add-ons such as WOT, AdblockPlus, and VTzilla or Bitdefender Quickscan.

I always try to scare people away from toolbars. Not very successful so far, but I try. I uninstall LOTS of toolbars…

And finally, CALL ME. Oh gawd it is horrible to be called all the time, but it is worse to have to blow away a whole system. Thankfully I use VMware which makes it far more bearable and easy, but honestly, if you don’t know, ASK. Better to ask a foolish question than to look like a fool later when your PC is riddled with garbage and only savable by nuclear war.

learn to click (and double-click) the mouse properly .. it’s brutal how kyphotic the un-initiated can be.
first order of business is gaining proficiency in some mouse-driven game You can’t drive a car if you don’t understand the concept of fluid cornering.

1. Just because your child is better on a computer than you doesn’t make them an expert
2. Microsoft or your Telco will never phone you to tell you that you have a virus
3. Don’t use the same password everywhere
4. Backup, backup, backup and backup again!

Rule #1- Don’t be afraid to try things. You will never learn if you do not experiment (after backing up) or if you keep asking other peoples to help you
Rule #2- Don’t argue with a computer: if it doesn’t make sense, shut down and re-start
Rule#3- Don’t click on anything too interesting. Check carefully if clicking on something will not bring you something else (Like large DOWNLOAD HERE button in the ads windows, will not download the small shareware you wanted to get)

1. Learn Google but don’t put all your eggs in one basket to protect your privacy.
2. Don’t click on ANY ads.
3. Backup or at least store personal files on another drive/partition.(2+3 agreeing with Dima’s post)

2. Learn how to create a system image and backup (these are two separate operations) as soon as possible and perform a system image at least once per month and file backup at least once per week. Put the images and backups on your external drive. There is related information on How-To Geek and other reliable websites; just google “how to system image” and “how to perform file backups”.

3. Now tinker with your system, knowing that you can restore it if you end up breaking it or if it gets infected.

1) Don’t use an account with local admin privileges for everyday computing. Adds an extra layer of protection from infections. Use a local admin account only for software installations and updating!

2) Backup Backup Backup (old geek mantra)

3) No experience is unique in computerland. If you have a problem or question, chances are someone else has had the same problem or question so with a little smart searching you will find something that will give you a clue. If you can’t find it, revise your search terms.

1. ALWAYS Update your Windows patches and updates
2. Purchase Carbonite ($60/yr unlimited data storage)…and backup everything in profile (My Documents, Desktop, Favorites)
3. If you get a popup that says you’re infected with many viruses…it is a virus…don’t click it to clean…get a pro…or learn to use the cleaners.

1 – Install Linux —- I am here to help with that. :-)
2 – Treat your online connection like your telephone — do not give information to unsolicited callers.
3 – Have fun. (remember, it’s just another toy in a world of oh-so-many gadgets — don’t take it, or yourself, so seriously)

1. Do not attempt to open application files !
2. Regular backup to a separate drive and then rummage thro’ your system to learn – break and be sure YOU reinstated it back – or learn it the hard way by spend time & money !!
3. Stop the urge to download & install something you don’t really need -with a definitive “NO”

1. If it doesn’t work, its probably something YOU did or didn’t do …. try again and this time pay attention.
2. Read the content of the window BEFORE you click OK.
3. Learn to configure things so they behave the way YOU want them to behave.

I work with newbies all the time. Some of them have been newbies for years! I have the following conversation with them and I make a big fuss about it. Eventually they will remember what I said. It goes like this:
“You remember the Golden Rule for RIGHT-click, don’t you?” They answer, “No.” Now that I have their attention, I tell them, “The Golden Rule for RIGHT-click is (drum roll) ‘You can’t screw up with a RIGHT-click.'”
As far as advising a newbie to pick a good antivirus program or to make sure you do your backups, that’s mostly way beyond their ability to absorb. I would swear that half the problems they call for help on would have been resolved if the EVER used a right-click.

A boss I had in the beginning of my career asked me what I did? I told him “I fix computers.” He corrected me. “No, you don’t. You fix customers. If you happen to fix the computer while you’re at it, that’s a plus.” Best advice I ever had.

1. Immediatly install anti-virus/malware and set up their automated services.
2. If you get any error message or have an issue, check all possible cable connections and reboot before doing anything else.
3. Back up everything that means anything to you!

1. Trust no one. Don’t click on any file you didn’t request, even if it appears to come from a friend.
2. Don’t get suckered into any games. They just consume your time and brain cells.
3. Explore a lot of things on the web. But remember there is no such thing as a free lunch. There will be a hook that shows up.

1 – Trust yourself – there’s almost no way what you’re doing will “break” your computer.
2 – When a friend helps you resolve a problem, listen to the explanation of what happened instead of just asking that it be fixed. If you understand how this problem came about, you’ll know how to solve it or avoid it next time.
3 – Learn to type.

A) Install a PAID for antivirus program, anti-malware program, anti-spyware program; that $40 a year is money well spent. It will protect you from viruses.
B) Turn off your computer as soon as something pops up on your screen that says you’re computer may be infected… (Not the ‘shut down’ button, but the power disconnect button.)
C) Learn how to get rid of a virus from your computer. (Open in save mode–press F8. Go to my computer. Look for files that originated at about the time the virus showed up. Delete those files. Do a search for the name of the virus on your computer. Delete those files. Delete recycle bin. Optional–go to an earlier ‘restore point’ …)

In theory, a ‘newbie’ no longer exists. Kids as young as 5 now know about the computer, and what to do or what not to do–use a paid for anitvirus program / stay away from porn / get rid of viruses in less than 10 minutes/don’t open emails from strangers etc… I didn’t own a computer till I was 60, and not till 2009 was I connected to the internet. But a 5 year old growing up with family computer, will have more knowledge at an earlier age.

1. If you don’t know how to type, learn. There are several free typing tutor courses online, and you have no future in a hunt and peck strategy.
2. Learn to HIGHLIGHT, COPY, and PASTE. Those are the three steps for quoting or copying text or images from one field to another (from an email to a webpage or vice versa, for example).
3. Learn to take screenshots on your computer. When you need help from a remote friend, a picture of what exactly you think you are looking at on your screen will be worth 1000 words.

4. If you are a newbie, uninstall WINDOWS and install Linux NOW. People will say Linux is complicated (it used to be), but if you learn Linux first (choose your flavor: http://distrowatch.com ) you will never know the difference.
5. Now that you have Linux, Install a good IRC (Internet Relay Chat) client, and use the community help channels to learn more about your system. Many are on the Freenode network, which you can also access through your browser at http://webchat.freenode.net — to log in to the ubuntu community channel, pick an anonymous username, and write #ubuntu into the box that asks for channel(s)(you can be signed into more than one channel at a time). DON”T give out personal information on the channel, and DO get to know the channel moderators (mods) and administrators (admins). Check in and watch the conversations to learn basic ettiquette and procedure in the channel.
6. I could easily make a top ten list, but they only asked for three, and i’m already over that.

1. Back up everything that is important ( ie pics, vids, tax docs, etc.)
2. Learn about viruses and protect your neck!
3. Form an endearing relationship with a computer geek so you can get problems resolved quickly :)

these are the three must important Does on a PC/ Computer / Tab it’s all the same…
1 / from the outset use one strong password that consists of AT LEAST 10 DIGITS that have a mixture of numbers ….. letters of both small case and large case …… – … _ …… , …… . …..but numbers and upper case lower case letters make a STRONG ENOUGH PASSWORD remember not your name birthday your town ……. If you “””””” MAKE UP A PASSWORD of at least 10 TEN DIGEST you only need one ………. yes just one ………. BUT DO NOT TELL IT TO ANY ONE ….
if you do IT IS NO LONGER YOUR PASSWORD remember your password …… once you forget IT you are on the slippery slop of lots and lots of passwords ……. you have been advised
2 / use FIREFOX not internet explorer
3 / for your email use googlemail it is shortened these days to gmail its unrestricted or at lest very good in size ….. do not use @live.com or hotmail you wont have “”””” MSN “”””””” I know you can live well without …… enjoy

@StevenTorrey
You don’t need to pay for an antivirus program. Avast Free is more than sufficient for protecting you from viruses and other threats. Disconnecting the power source is not a good suggestion in cases where you have an infection. I do a lot of anti-virus work as a computer tech and I will always watch what the infection is doing. Watching what a virus does can sometimes be very beneficial for removing it. Cutting the power supply can actually make things worse (mainly corrupted system files).

The most important single rule is to caution someone to keep away from Google. Your personal information is personal and you need to keep it personal. If Google has contact with your computer, ALL your personal information becomes available to whoever wishes to purchase it. Google is NOT your friend!

1. Keep it simple. Don’t load lots of unnecessary software and don’t assume the world is only
according to Microsoft and Apple. There’s some great free stuff out there.
2. Be wary. Don’t even assume that an email from your best mate is safe; back up anything
important. Use the cloud.
3. Have fun. Computers are useful tools and can be a means to all sorts of outcomes. Enjoy it
remember you are the boss not the computer.

1) Auto-save everything on your machine to the Cloud – £1.86/month if buy 24 months in advance at mypcbackup.com. Get that subscription before you save anything on your machine.
2) Investigate if your bank will supply Kaspersky Anti-Virus (or similar) for free – Barclays in the UK does, as they’re big in Internet Banking.
3) Install Spybot Search and Destroy (free – but they’re well worth a donation) on the day you get the machine, and setup weekly auto-repeating reminders in your online calendar to e-mail you regularly to remind you to grab the latest updates and run it weekly. No chance then for robots to take over your machine, without you knowing.

1. Do NOT click on anything you don’t know what it is or is too good to be true. Like the saying goes it ALWAYS is.
2. If you don’t know what it is, DONT CLICK IT!!!
3. Backup anything important, so when you do click something you shouldn’t have, you don’t loose your data.

1. Always buy a computer the nearest place to way you live!
2. Always Backup your important data,
3. Invest in more Memory(GB) than larger hard disk. Very important to remember:
All 32 bit systems can’t use more then 4 GB of ram memory, only 64 bit systems managed to use more of 4 GB (off cores it depends on your hardware and memory slots),

1. Install Firefox and make it your default browser.
2. Install the World of Trust (WoT) add-on for Firefox.
3. Install a well-known, reliable anti-virus and anti-malware package from a reputable company. Lots of magazines such as Consumer Reports and PC Magazine do comparisons and ratings of anti-virus software at least once each year.

And a word or caution for each of my friends out there. The phrase “If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.” is just as important in cyberspace as it is in meat-space.

1) Whichever browser you use, USE it; the Internet is the repository of all human knowledge and you are not the first person this has happened to.
2) Antivirus…antivirus…antivirus…updated antivirus…antivirus…
3) There’s no crying in computers!

1. Use linux–Ubuntu is probably the best for newbies
2. Use google when you’re stuck or need to know more
3. Gain a basic knowledge of the command line and keep a command reference guide (aka a cheatsheet) nearby

1. Use verifiable software to keep all updates current. That way you don’t need virus protection!
2. Keep all of your personal information private on the web.
3. Keep this site in your favorites…you will need the help!

2 & 3. These go hand in hand to me….If they can, create a partition (if not, make a folder with their name) and use this for ALL data that is generated. The second half is to start out organized and stay that way. This will involve going in to programs (Word, Excel, Browser, etc.) and make it so each time something is saved it goes to that dedicated Partition / Folder.

Then when it is time to execute that back-up in step one, it will be that much easier, not to mention much easier to retrieve you personal files when the hard drive fails (not if but when).

@Iagoman –I am not sure if you are aware, but a mirror back-up will only work if you have a HD failure (which the odds are, it will happen in time). But if you have something go wrong with the SW, like a virus, what is on one HD will be on the other (hence Mirror)….you may want to go with a different RAID option other than a mirror, but it is a step in the right direction.

1. go outside an play. Your new beast is a destined-to-be-outdated timesuck.
2. If you wanna chat, go to the supermarket or knock on a neighbor’s door.
3. Above all, stay off of the internet. Especially if you don’t want strangers to know your business.

1. Always have a 13 year old on speed dial. They will be able to help with any of the basics.
2. Go through the family tree to find any computer geeks. When you find one or two, call to have them fix something simple. The general rule is NOW THEY WILL HAVE TO HELP YOU FOR FREE FOR THE REST OF THEIR ENTIRE LIFE! This is an unwritten rule that techs never speak of but they know what I’m talking about……
3. Forget M$ and use Linux.

Most of these are alright, but I agree most with floydfan. If the person is a true newbie… these are my exact steps. They work, tried and tested, for my mother lmao.
1.Read what happens on your screen, evaluate what it is saying/asking. If it sounds as a positive, click ok, if it sounds negative, when in doubt, close it out! :D

2. Don’t be afraid to try different things even if you don’t know what you are doing, if any question about what you are doing is ok/safe for the computer, see rule number 1!

3. Don’t give up if you can’t figure something out. If you are trying a new program or installing something, read! If it says anything about toolbars, making homepages, and has the option to NOT install that part, don’t, if it doesn’t give you any option, close out and don’t install. But don’t be afraid to try new things. If you need help with something, ask.

Also if they are THAT new and no experience, I spell out each step…. step by every tedious step, down to which mouse button. I’ve written some walkthroughs for several people, just so they are made to do what they are trying to do, so it sticks. Instead of taking over the mouse and showing. If they are true newbies and they are nervous I am usually right there to answer questions. I like teaching, which is scary lol

1. If you really really don’t know what you’re doing, don’t get a computer – nicely ask to borrow a friend’s while they supervise
2. If you get stuck, Google it!!!
3. You will never get an iPad, a cruise in the Caribbean or a million bucks by clicking on an ad.

And if there were four, when you are downloading something, don’t just click install, make sure they aren’t giving you crapware too.

1. Learn how to Google there is always an easier way to do something (to newbies)
2. I do not use antivirus (a newbie should use one) anyway be aware of emails even from known people and never instal a program without read a lot of comments
3. Backup critical information

3. Yes definitely learn how to use a search engine to answer your questions and learn or call friend or family for help.

Antivirus, backing up files, ads, and using Firefox and not IE is a givin since the friend or family member set the new computer up that way, etc., are second nature for us but the question was for a new user. A new computer user know nothing whatsoever.

1. When in doubt, reboot – and reboot at least once a day.
2. Security software and updates are important but not as important as common sense.
3. Learn how to make backups of any stuff you don’t want to lose.

1. Spend the money on an external back up drive–then USE IT.
2. Spend the money on a good back up program–then USE IT.
3. Don’t save any emails that contain passwords that matter in your email account OR on your computer.

1. Google it. Don’t just read the first entry: read several, then make up your mind.
2. Approach anything Windows-based warily. Even with anti-virus/anti-spyware/yada-yada, Windows is NOT safe. No version.
3. Back up everything, save everything, do versions of your work.

1. Take class Computer Literacy 101
2. Take class Using the Internet 101
3. Then, go to the store and buy a computer with in-store protection and service warranty.

The rest is a wonderful journey of experiencing cool technology you should enjoy because you’ve taken basic classes and have a support team just a phone call away which you paid for with in-store warranty and protection.

1. Use LINUX, like Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint. The Operating System(s) is/are Free, no cost and so is the Software! NO VIRUS = NO Anti-Virus Software needed!
2. Join the Distro’s Forum!! Free Help!
3. Use Goggle or DuckDuckGo to search for answers.

Discover what Real Freedom is like!
You can have several different Operating Systems on a single PC to try each and compare.
Distrowatch.com is a good place to start looking!

1. GOLDEN RULE: learn the dos and donts of the web.. can tell you how many uneducated freinds of mine have actually did huge mistakes like giving away personnel info to “correct” mistakes that the internet says they have…………..

2. the internet is in ink

3.do you really need THAT MANY FREAKING TOOLBARS! (I.T. has taken its toll on me)

(1) Set yourself up with a generic email address such as yahoo , gmail , hotmail etc . This will enable to change your ISP if you see a better deal and you won’t have to notify contacts you have changed your email address as it always remains the same.
(2) Never give credit card or banking details on line Set up a Paypal account instead.
(3) Never open attachments or click links found in emails from people you don’t know, it is the quickest way to get your computer infected with Trojans, Viruses etc.
(4) Buy an external hard drive and back files up to it regularly.
(5) Download Incredimail, it is the best email provider ever.
(6) Cold Callers in Boiler rooms will telephone you and say they are calling from Microsoft. Hang up immediately as it is a scam.
(7) The shop that sold you the computer will generally be willing to give you assistance if you have a problem.

1.If you come across any error..start understanding them and find a way to solve them ….( Gets really interesting when you get down to the core of computing …)
2.Make use of google and its products effectively.
3.Learn to make playlists …(you can enjoy to music while you work )

1. Back up
2. Keep everything, your browser, flash, java etc up to date
3. If you use Google to try to resolve an issue with your computer, be sure you know exactly what the problem is. You may wind up breaking another thing while trying to fix something else.

1. Have always somebody in the neighborhood ready to help, ready to give you some piece of advice.. But try to learn to solve your problems yourself first !
2. Make a backup of your data regularly. If something happen, there are no consequences.
3. Use the best computer/operating system/tools for the tasks you need to succeed. Do not decide by example to use Windows because it is the operating system that your computer was shipped with. Question the choices people try to impose on you.

BEWARE OF ALL INTERNET SITES THAT PROMISE YOU THE EARTH, YOU WILL FINISH ON A DUNG HEAP AND DRIVEN MAD BY AN ARMY OF SCAMMERS THAT ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED. SHOP AROUND FOR THE BEST AVAILABLE VIRUS PROTECTION SYSTEM THAT SUITS YOUR PURPOSES AND STICK TO IT. BE SELFISH, DONT ALLOW ANYONE ELSE TO USE YOUR MACHINE WITHOUT YOUR SUPERVISION. ( YOU WOULD NOT HANG THE KEYS OF YOUR HOUSE ON THE FRONT DOOR WOULD YOU? )

1. Back up regularly. Data files are the most critical. Make backups easy to do so you DO do them.
2. Don’t do things you don’t understand. Don’t blithely press “OK” after being asked ‘Are you sure?’ unless you really DO know.
3. Google things you don’t know. Think about good keywords to use.

And of course … nothing is private on the net, and you are hackable if someone is determined enough.

1. Check whether you have got or have to make a recovery disc(s)
2. Get advice on backups, both Image and Data. Sooner or later you will need them
3. Learn and practice how to restore the backups. It may be too late when something goes wrong

Hi
1- When you install or generally use your computer, read every comment carefully and don’t ignor windows and other software messages.
2- Be careful about your system security.
3- Don’t crowd your system with unnecessary software and avoid being a pack rat.

(based on the picture for this article)
– wear your bra on the inside of your shirt, not the outside
– you are obviously frustrated, get up and go to Starbucks for a vinte white chocolate mocha
– It might help if you turn on your computer first (screen is blank)

“This week we’d like to you imagine, if you will, that you must distill down your computer knowledge into three rules to pass on to a new computer user. What do you tell them? How do you save them from making the mistakes you made?”

I’ve reduced what I know about computers. (My post, a distillation of the system engineering process). Saving them from making my mistakes, or their own, hinders the process.

Without mistakes, you can’t learn… if you don’t want to learn how to use a computer, buy an iPad.

1) BE PATIENT & READ – a computer is a machine it needs time to compute and respond. It is not as advanced as the human brain – give it time to do it’s work. Failure to do so will cause problems
2) PREPARE for disaster – install backup internet browsers, establish a system for backing up files you can not recreate and install a malaware/virus/repair/remote assist program (MS Fix It is handy for the novice http://support.microsoft.com/fixit/). Set up a backup and system clean up/update schedule and stick to it.
3) CHANGE IS INEVITABLE – nothing in technology stays the same – be prepared to learn, explore and discover this vast new world with the understanding that what you think you know may not always be the only way.

1. De-crap the hard drive — The maker likes to load your hard drive with junk you will never use.
2. Install free anti-virus — I like to use MS Security Essential (Forget Norton just doesn’t work)
3. Backup — Backup — Backup. Did I say to Backup after your hard drive crash??

The best anit-malware program is your brain, use it and if you don’t how to or error message then use Google or Bing to find the answer. Now if search engine return some you don’t understand then call a computer tech. Never open a email from unknown person or attachment from anybody.

1.) As the I.T Crowd would say “Have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again?”
2.) When you are not sure about a pop up or message. Read it first before you ask someone. Most of the time they are pretty self explanatory.
3.) Don’t be afraid to play around with the computer, fear is your #1 computer problem.

1)Use Chrome or Firefox, do not use IE. Use Adblock Plus with either of those two products.
2)Use MSE. If you have some lingering doubts about Microsoft products, use Avira or avast, but expect me to cuss about those because they are too similar to malware in behavior(slow your computer to a crawl, display ads, and are otherwise no bueno).
3) Backup.

1.back up
2.clicking “cancel” or “no” is the best option when you know know what you are doing. it does worth starting your job over sometimes.
3.manipulate the choices as much as you can and when you do not have anybody to ask/ internet access just try to read all the massages you see during your work-i know it take centuries to finish your work.

1) Keep your computer and antivirus up-to-date regularly.
2) What seems too be to good to be true IS probably too good to be true. (Don’t fall for lottery, prizes,free screensavers, emails asking for your password & credit card info.)
3) Get background information on websites and software that you don’t know about before accessing them or installing them.(eg. A program called Internet Security 2010 is actually a virus program and not a antivirus software)
Search for them on Google before you install it.

1. Don’t send your friends all that “cute” stuff that gets forwarded to you.
2. Delete without reading anything with more than one “FWD” in the Subject of an email.
3. Don’t post any of that junk on Facebook either.

The first step is anti-virus protection. Number two would be become educated ad do not give anyone passwords or your personal information. The third rule is too update all applications on a regular basis. Backup is also a great time saver.

1. Any email that you receive that promises you anything is a scam.
2. Don’t open, download or install anything if you don’t know for sure what it is and who published it.
3. Install reputable virus software and keep all software up to date.

1) Install Microsoft Security Essentials
2) Install all updates promptly no matter what operating system you use. The Mac trojan is exploiting a vulnerability in people’s computers which was fixed THREE YEARS AGO!
3) Be smart. If a pop up says your computer is infected it isn’t. If an email asks you for private info, don’t give it out!

3. Create a login password and never share your computer with teenagers – the price of getting them their own PC will be way less than the price and inconvenience of constantly fixing your own. You never know then you might have a solitaire emergency!!